Bilbo actor announced soon - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Tuor in Gondolin · 08-24-2009, 04:55 PM

Sort of news involving Bilbo casting at SciFi Wire:

Quote:

Ian McKellen teases with Hobbit casting news

Ian McKellen put in an appearance at London's BFI IMAX cinema Saturday night for a special marathon screening of the extended editions of all three Lord of the Rings films, and surprised the audience by unexpectedly revealing Hobbit news during his introductory remarks, /film reported.

Not only did he confirm that he'll be coming back as Gandalf, and is expecting to start work on set in March of next year, he also dropped a bit of a casting bombshell. According to McKellen, the starring role of Bilbo Baggins has been successfully cast already. Not only that, but he knows who has the role and he's sure that the fans will be very, very pleased.

McKellen also revealed that he is expecting his own personal copy of the script within the next two weeks.

Tuor in Gondolin · 08-27-2009, 12:45 PM

Be afraid! Be very afraid!

(Well, maybe not very afraid since it's verrrrrrry unlikely).
But in the Sydney Morning Herald:

Quote:

Cruise jets into NZ for Jackson meetingAugust 27, 2009 - 10:24AM .
Hollywood star Tom Cruise has flown into New Zealand to meet the country's Oscar-winning director, Peter Jackson.

The actor was met at Wellington airport early on Thursday morning, sources have told New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB.

It is not known why he is in the country but it is understood he is meeting Jackson. The acclaimed filmmaker is working on a remake of the classic 1954 World War II epic, Dam Busters, the JRR Tolkien classic, The Hobbit, and a film about Belgian comic-strip hero Tintin.

Film critics say Cruise is "very unlikely" to be in line for a role in any of these movies.

But the star has heavy involvement in film studio United Artists so there is speculation that the New Zealand meet-up could be about a joint project.

Light of Eärendil · 08-27-2009, 12:48 PM

I pretty much see Tom Cruise as Bard. But I would like Hugh Jackman better for that role.

Mithalwen · 08-28-2009, 10:13 AM

It isn't going to be a very long bow if Cruise plays the bowman ...

I saw Top Gun again a few weeks ago and it is hysterical how poor Kelly McGillis has to slouch in half the scenes to disguise the fact she is so much taller than him. the other half he must be standing on a box.

Tuor in Gondolin · 08-28-2009, 10:40 AM

Well, hey. They won't have to do as much forced perspective
if he's Bilbo.

Erendis · 08-28-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

It isn't going to be a very long bow if Cruise plays the bowman ...

Indeed!

How in God's name can anyone imagine him as the tough Bard?
The only bard possible for him to play is Cacofonix!

CSteefel · 08-29-2009, 09:27 PM

I have to agree on the negative comments on Daniel Radcliffe as Bilbo. As mentioned above, he has improved--in the last film, he shows a sort of fatalistic, wry humor with respect to his manipulation by Dumbledore. But still he is too much on the serious side to the point where I don't see how he could play the (eventually) free spirited but very shrewd Bilbo.

One has to be a bit worried about the film as a whole to the extent that PJ still exercises a big role. The Hobbit has always suffered in comparison to the LOTR in its relative lack of grander historical substance. We have already seen PJ's penchant for cutesy scenes (e.g., with the dwarf Gimli), so I would be worried that the cutesy aspects of The Hobbit will dominate. Also, LOTR (the movie) suffered from too much focus on the battle scenes, so one has to wonder whether that last battle of the Five Armies will take up half of the movie.

All in all, this calls for a much subtler treatment of the historical context. There is the eviction of Sauron from Dol Goldur, but there is not quite enough substance there from Tolkien, so this needs to be just one element in a broader textured tale that includes the travels of Aragorn perhaps, and a more complete treatment of his relationship in the earlier years with Arwen, and the machinations of Saruman with the White Council as both he and Sauron search for the Ring...

Lalwendë · 09-03-2009, 04:48 PM

So much for DT quashing rumours he's been cast in The Hobbit at Comic Con. Not very long afterwards he was reported as havign auditioned for a 'major' film and having been really terrified about it, and right afterwards Ian McK made his announcement that fans would be 'very pleased'...Tennant also has little else lined up for him once he wraps Doctor Who and the couple of episodes of the Sarah Jane Adventures that he will be doing.

I'm convinced it's going to be him.

However I'm still 100% behind Martin Freeman for the role of Bilbo, he'd be perfect.

If Tom Cruise shows his mug in the films then there's no humanity left in the world. And Daniel Radcliffe is more wooden than a B&Q superstore, so no thanks. Also no thanks for James McAvoy who I think is fab, but not right for the part.

Another extremely strong story circulating is that Richard Armitage has been auditioned for the role of Bard.

08-27-2009, 12:48 PM	#3
Light of Eärendil Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: México / United States (It depends) Posts: 15	I pretty much see Tom Cruise as Bard. But I would like Hugh Jackman better for that role. __________________ Even the wisest cannot see the end...

08-28-2009, 10:40 AM	#5
Tuor in Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Southeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,651	Well, hey. They won't have to do as much forced perspective if he's Bilbo. __________________ The poster formerly known as Tuor of Gondolin. Walking To Rivendell and beyond 12,555 miles passed Nt./Day 5: Pass the beacon on Nardol, the 'Fire Hill.'

08-29-2009, 09:27 PM	#7
CSteefel Wight Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 204	I have to agree on the negative comments on Daniel Radcliffe as Bilbo. As mentioned above, he has improved--in the last film, he shows a sort of fatalistic, wry humor with respect to his manipulation by Dumbledore. But still he is too much on the serious side to the point where I don't see how he could play the (eventually) free spirited but very shrewd Bilbo. One has to be a bit worried about the film as a whole to the extent that PJ still exercises a big role. The Hobbit has always suffered in comparison to the LOTR in its relative lack of grander historical substance. We have already seen PJ's penchant for cutesy scenes (e.g., with the dwarf Gimli), so I would be worried that the cutesy aspects of The Hobbit will dominate. Also, LOTR (the movie) suffered from too much focus on the battle scenes, so one has to wonder whether that last battle of the Five Armies will take up half of the movie. All in all, this calls for a much subtler treatment of the historical context. There is the eviction of Sauron from Dol Goldur, but there is not quite enough substance there from Tolkien, so this needs to be just one element in a broader textured tale that includes the travels of Aragorn perhaps, and a more complete treatment of his relationship in the earlier years with Arwen, and the machinations of Saruman with the White Council as both he and Sauron search for the Ring... __________________ `These are indeed strange days,' he muttered. `Dreams and legends spring to life out of the grass.'

09-03-2009, 04:48 PM	#8
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	So much for DT quashing rumours he's been cast in The Hobbit at Comic Con. Not very long afterwards he was reported as havign auditioned for a 'major' film and having been really terrified about it, and right afterwards Ian McK made his announcement that fans would be 'very pleased'...Tennant also has little else lined up for him once he wraps Doctor Who and the couple of episodes of the Sarah Jane Adventures that he will be doing. I'm convinced it's going to be him. However I'm still 100% behind Martin Freeman for the role of Bilbo, he'd be perfect. If Tom Cruise shows his mug in the films then there's no humanity left in the world. And Daniel Radcliffe is more wooden than a B&Q superstore, so no thanks. Also no thanks for James McAvoy who I think is fab, but not right for the part. Another extremely strong story circulating is that Richard Armitage has been auditioned for the role of Bard. __________________ Gordon's alive!

08-28-2009, 10:13 AM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	It isn't going to be a very long bow if Cruise plays the bowman ... I saw Top Gun again a few weeks ago and it is hysterical how poor Kelly McGillis has to slouch in half the scenes to disguise the fact she is so much taller than him. the other half he must be standing on a box.